Eye to eye looks like 6.5" on my shock. I would rather have something newer than replacing the 5R. Something that will return the plushness but allow me to ride to trails on the road without bouncing all over (though if I concentrate on spinning, I don't bounce much now).

I talked to Castilano about replacing my BowTi shock once, and he recommended an Fox Ava (a float with a large volume adjuster on it), and he even had some in stocked back then. Any 6.5", 1.5" stroke shock will work, but you might give the original designer a call to see what he recommends in the current line of shocks. He said the larger volume on the AVA was better for the BowTi geometry.

Good to hear, the last time I had my Alps-5 rebuilt, they said parts were limited, and I might need an upgrade soon.

Several years ago. I inquired about getting disc tabs added and an eBB retrofitted, John did not have access to welding yet, and he referred me to Carl Strong. I used a Brake Therapy adapter for a while, then I ghettoed this disc mount / SS setup, which I'm still using.

I swapped a couple fo emails with Castellano on exactly the same question a year or more ago for my BowTi and he was testing an Fox RP3 shock for them at the time and recommended it.

So I fitted one and have barely touched it since. Works a treat and usually use it in the standard middle point setting, that way it still continues to work but is stiffer when I need it (out the saddle etc.).

As for rear disk brakes I buse the woodman torsion bar bits only I actually ended up using a custom made torsion bar, has been working fine for well over 18 months now and the only real pain is punctures. Keep thinking about sending it to Steve Potts to have tabs added. One day.

I try to keep the fork short, <80mm if possible, I find the front end somewhat slack to start off with - nothing too bad though, you can get use to it. I liked it with a SID XC. I had a 80mm Fox with a Stratos Inertial valve (ID) installed, and that worked very well, but it borrowed by another ride... I've also had a 70mm Z2 on it, and that was good.

I had both the Woodman and the Brake Therapy disc adapters on it, and I like the Woodman better, wheel removals were simpler (I modded a Shimano hub). Both work well. I'll get disc tabs added one day... that's what I tell myself.